Stephen Chadenga
As the clock ticks with less than 24 hours left to mark Munhumutapa Day in Mvurwi, Mashonaland Central, the economic patriotism preached by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Investment Promotion,Hon Kudakwashe David Mnangagwa is finding new resonance.
“No-one will come from outside to build Zimbabwe for us. It is our duty as young people to stay, work and make our country great,”Hon Mnangagwa has been previously quoted saying.
This year’s celebrations, which coincide with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 84th birthday, will bring together thousands of youths and elders alike to celebrate Mutapa Empire heritage, a precolonial state renowned for controlling and benefitting from its vast mineral wealth and trade routes.
Observers say Hon Kuda Mnangagwa’s consistent stance that “countries’ resources should uplift lives, build communities and drive sustainable growth echoes the very spirit of Munhumutapa Day.
A Zanu PF patriot based in Chirumanzu, Averino Chipadza said this year’s Munhumutapa Day should remind youths on the need to safeguard both political and economic independence.
“Hon Kuda (Mnangagwa) has embodied the youth spirit required in Zimbabwe to drive economic and political patriotism as well as national pride,”Chipadza said.
Munhumutapa Day was gazetted as a new annual public holiday under Statutory Instrument 148 of 2026. Government says it is meant to celebrate pre-colonial heritage and link it to Vision 2030.